Rachel Zegler Height, Weight, Religion, Net Worth, Age, Biography

About (Profile/Biography):
Rachel Zegler is an American actress and singer who rose to prominence starring as Maria in Steven Spielberg's 2021 film adaptation of "West Side Story." Born on May 3, 2001, in New Jersey to a Colombian mother and Polish-American father, Zegler began her career performing in local theater productions. Her exceptional vocal talents and acting abilities caught Spielberg's attention during an open casting call, launching her career in Hollywood. Since her breakout role, she has established herself as one of the industry's promising young talents.
Early Life of Rachel Zegler
• Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, little Rachel showed remarkable musical talent from a young age, performing in school musicals and regional theater productions that nurtured her natural abilities and passion for performing arts.
• The young starlet's Colombian and Polish heritage greatly influenced her upbringing, with Zegler often crediting her multicultural background as instrumental in shaping her perspectives and artistic sensibilities.
• Before fame knocked on her door, Rachel was just a typical theater kid who uploaded singing videos on YouTube, including a viral clip of her singing "Shallow" from A Star Is Born that showcased her powerhouse vocals to viewers worldwide.
Career Breakthrough for Rachel Zegler
• Zegler beat out 30,000 other hopefuls in an open casting call for Spielberg's "West Side Story" when she was only 17 years old, submitting audition videos that impressed the legendary director with her raw talent and authentic interpretation of Maria.
• The newcomer received widespread critical acclaim for her film debut, with critics praising her powerful vocals and emotional depth in portraying Maria, establishing Rachel as more than just another pretty face in Hollywood.
• Following her breakthrough, the rising star secured major roles in DC's "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" and as Snow White in Disney's live-action adaptation, proving her first success wasn't just beginner's luck.
Awards and Recognitions received by Rachel Zegler
• Rachel made history as the first actress of Colombian descent to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for her role in "West Side Story," a remarkable achievement for her feature film debut.
• The talented performer received the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress, establishing her credibility among industry veterans despite being relatively new to Hollywood's competitive landscape.
• In 2022, Zegler was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the Hollywood & Entertainment category, recognizing her as one of the entertainment industry's most promising young talents with significant impact potential.
Lesser-Known Facts about Rachel Zegler
• Despite her powerful singing voice, Rachel is entirely self-taught and has never taken formal vocal lessons, developing her impressive technique through years of listening to and emulating her musical theater idols.
• The multilingual actress speaks fluent Spanish and can sing in several languages including Italian and French, skills that have expanded her performance capabilities beyond what many of her contemporaries can offer.
• Before becoming an actress, Zegler worked at her local Chipotle Mexican Grill while performing in community theater, often rushing between shifts to make rehearsals for productions that would ultimately prepare her for stardom.
Notable Controversy around Rachel Zegler
• Rachel faced significant backlash in 2022 after initially not receiving an Oscar invitation despite being the lead actress in "West Side Story," which had seven nominations, sparking debates about Hollywood recognition and representation.
• The young actress stirred controversy with comments about the original 1961 "West Side Story" film, suggesting the classic had "problematic" elements that needed updating, which angered some fans of the original production.
•During the promotion of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," Zegler's comments about reimagining the character of Lucy Gray Baird drew criticism from book purists who felt she misunderstood the source material.